Rising country singer and songwriter Sarahbeth Taite is an artist not many people may be familiar with right now, but for any young woman or any person who feels like they're not enough in any way in their life, her music is worth a listen. Exploring themes of self-worth, girl power, and insane relationships, her EP covers a young woman's life, all with a contemporary pop/country coating.

Country music started young for Taite. "My country music career started out in front of my bedroom mirror holding a hairbrush," she said. "Reba McEntire was definitely my first favorite country artist." Taite started off her country music journey younger than most, and was heavily inspired by the powerful women of country music of the late 90’s and early 2000’s. These factors have developed Taite's sound into what it is today. ​

Taite describes her music as "a new take on a classic sound." Her influences include some of the most successful women in country music history. "Dolly Parton has always been a huge influence for me, as an artist and as a person. And I've always been a big Shania Twain fan," Taite said. In her own music, Taite has been able to mix successfully the traditions of country music that she loves with modern pop/country. "I've always been drawn to the more traditional side of country music, and I've had a lot of fun taking those elements and getting creative with more progressive production." Some of her influences right now in music include Sam Hunt, Adele, and Meghan Trainor, reflected in her pop-heavy but country-rooted sound.

Being a woman in country music is harder right now than it has been historically, certainly harder than it was for the women that Taite idolized growing up. But Taite emphasizes that being true to yourself, transparent in your music, and genuine is what makes an artist who they are, and what makes a star. "That's the best advice I've ever gotten, and I still work towards that every time I'm writing something new,” Taite said. “I think authenticity is the most important part of being an artist, and it has a lot to do with whether listeners will resonate with the music." ​​

​Taite's debut self-titled EP was released at the end of January, featuring her debut single "He Loves Me," along with three other country-pop tracks. She names "He Loves Me" the best representation of her music as a whole. "I loved watching the production develop on that song, and I love what is says. It is so true to my personality!" Although all of the songs on the EP are important to her, the song she is most proud of lyrically is not her debut single. "I am most proud of "Enough" because of the message it sends and the way it seems to be connecting with people," she said. The chorus of the song emphasizes Taite's commitment to making girls feel like they're worth more than they think they are: "I'm enough, as long as I believe I'm enough" Taite sings. ​The song references beauty standards and boys pressuring girls into doing things they aren't comfortable in with, and also just the feeling of being less-than. It's an empowering and beautiful track.

Sarahbeth's five favorite songs right now!

For Taite, girl power and empowering young women is a big part of her music. She didn't plan to have this feminist-leaning attitude in her songs, but she says she writes from her heart, and it has resulted in that. "I think that powerful perspective is coming through because of where I'm genuinely at in my life right now," she said. "I have been in a place before where I put too much weight on one guy and one relationship. It's been fun to focus on who I am and my career, and not worry about what somebody else is thinking of me. It's incredibly important to me that girls know their worth, and know that it isn't gauged on who they are (or aren't) dating."

She has all of this figured out, and Taite is still young. At only 18 years old, she still has time to further develop her sound, and what she wants to say with her music in the future. But she has an excellent start. "I'm looking forward to writing and being in the studio even more, and many more opportunities to get out there and get more of my music to listeners," Taite said. A song to look forward to is one titled "Would I Know You," which Taite said is a song that is very meaningful to her. "It hasn't been released yet, but I will be playing it out live this year as part of my set."

This year is set to be a breakout year for Taite, with the release of her EP, and the exposure she'll get as she tours and gets the chance to reach out to the country music fanbase. "So far I know I'll be traveling the southeast on the Music City Live Tour sponsored by Logan's Roadhouse and ASCAP," Taite said when asked about touring plans. "I'll also be on the Sirius XM Songwriter Showcase on March 1st." Taite said that 2016 has already been a year of exciting news and opportunities. "I can only imagine all that will happen in a whole year!"